The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-11-24
the ARMY.
Cen. Sheridan's Annual Report,
Containing Points Of Especial In
terest to People of the NortWeat.

Cen. Shertdan'S Annual Report,
Containing Points Of Especial In
terest to People Of the Northwest.
Washington, Special Telegram, Nov. 15.
I'm his annual report issued to-day, Lieut..
Gen. Sheridan, referring to the trouble on
the Crow reservation in Montana, says:
The agent, from the best information
that l have, while an honorable, well
meaning man. is not very well calculated
to deal with wild Indians being somewhat
arbitrary and dominesring and in his en-
deav or to establish discipline, attempted to
enforce his power without giving the In
dians chance to cool OF after their in
dulgences. As might have been expected,
from people OF their character, resistance
was Immediately threatened. Reports OF
the trouble having reached Washington. ],
after consulting with the secretary OF the
interior, went to st. Paul, intending, IL
necessary, to continue on to Fort Custer,
but, receiving full report Of the circum-
stances from Gen. Ruger, the department
commander l did not deem my personal
intervention necessary, but instead dl-
rected him to proceed to the scene OF trouble
and assemble there such force that their
numbers alone would overawe the malcon-
tents and render resistance impossible.
This has been done, and, as those directly
concerned in the trouble are only II in
number, l anticipate no difficulty in their
subjugation. Gen. Ruger will cause the In
dams who have taken a principal part in
this affair to be arrested, and to
further quiet restless young men
among them l authorized him to enlist
about thirty OF their number as scouts
and take them to Fort Custer. The Crows
have always been friendly and make it O
boast that they have never killed q white
man, and it would be a great pity if any
thing should now occur to disturb the
peaceful relations OF so long q standing;
and am confident that Gen. Ruger will be
able to effect permanent settlement that
will be satisfactory to the Crows, as well
as to ourselves.
CoNCENT RATING TROOPS.
Gen. Sheridan says OF the proposed con-
centration OF troops:
The extension OF railroads throughout
the division which has suddenly pro-
gressed during the year will bring some
posts that were formerly supplied
with difficulty and expense with
in easy reach. and will also obviate the ne
cessity for longer retaining some OF the
theory, the policy ofconcen trating into lar
ger posts in the vicinity OF railro ad centers
has Tor several years been advocated, and
many minor positions now retained only
because they afford shelter for the troops
not as yet provided for elsewhere will be
abandoned as soon as accommodations
can be obtained at the regimental posts
now either building or contemplated
in the near future. The work in
the new posts at Denver where
panies, will shortly be commenced. That
at San Antonio has been progressing
favoraby during the year. The ground
for the new post near Chicago will pass
into the possession of the government at
an early day. At Fort Smelling both the
reservation and other attendant condi-
tions are favorable for the establishment of
a large garrison, and only some additional
buildings are required for their accom-.
modation. The reconstruction OF Fort
Riley has been actively prosecuted during
the year, but before it can be completed
additional appropriations will be neces-
sary.
SOME GENERAL MATTERS.
From the report it appears that
at the date of the last consolidated
returns the army consisted OF
1900 officers and 24,236 men.
including Indian scouts. The lieutenant
general briefly sums up the condition OF
the various divisions OF the army, and OF
the division OF the Missouri, says:
While it has been free from Indian hos
tilities OF any magnitude many operations
of minor nature have been rendered nee.
essary. Troops have been continually oc-
cupied in patroIling the Oklahoma country
and have been successful in keeping intrud-
ers out OF that region. The gradual spread
OF railroads throughout the territory can,
however, ultimately have but one effect
and | am now of opinion that congress
may we'll consider the advisability OF open
ing up portions at least OF this
country to settlement. The general re-
views the difficulties arising in Aaguse last
in Colorado near, the Uncompahgre In
dian reservation. and their foundation
through the intercession OF Lieut.. Burnette
with small detachment OF the Ninth
cavalry.
Gen. Sheridan does not look favorably
upon the proposition of Gen. Miles to
separate the Indians now at San Carlos in
to several camps, about 100 or 200 miles
apart, deeming it for the best interests OF
Arizona and OF the Indians themselves
that they should be kept in one body, and
the duties necessary for their control con-
centrated al a single point.
Divided into different bands" he says,
leach location might become the center OF
disturbances and the difficulties OF their
supervision would be greatly increased"
lNChEAotD DESEhllONSs
The general expresses regret at the fact
OF slight increase in the number Of de.
sertions during the year, and sees no rem
edy for it, He looks favorably on the
new plan OF monthly payments. He says
The recruiting service has enlisted An in.
creased number of good men. Discipline is
good. The artillery, infantry and cavalry
schools are reported to be doing good work,
and the army has greatly improved in rifle
practice. The general renews his recon-.
mendation that 5000 men be added to
the army and that two majors and two
captains be added to each infantry regi-
OF board to frame revised tactics to
meet the changes in handling men occa-
stoned by changes in the methods Of war.
The general urges as measure highly pro-
motive OF efficiency the retirement of about
eighty old officers who are unfit for duty,
but whose retention on the active list en-
tails additional work on the men who are
at the same time withheld from promotion
thereby. The time is near at hand when the
army should be supplied with machine
guns. Unless an effective arm OF this
character is developed by an American
manufacturer very soon, the government
should adopt some foreign repeating gun.
Our coast defenses have continued to de-
teriorate during the year. Adequate de-
lenses must be the work of years and at
tanned at heavy outlay. In the mean
time the dynamite gun experiments show
valuable qualities and good results within
their range, and experimenting with view
to their iuture development should be en-.
couraged. Desirable features arc the speed
with which they can be manufactured and
their compare tive inexpensiveness.
THE NATIONAL GUARD.
Gen. Sheridan concludes his report as
follows:
am strongly in favor OF the general gov.
orv, n, opk ovfopI;uO oil vnoo;hIo III ~ 6n